Ring municipal police pension bill 1128

A bill presented by State Senator Jeremy Ring regarding municipal police pensions. The proposed changes are:

Highlights (or lowlights):
- Mandates defined contribution plans for all new hires.
- Provides a death benefit.
- Creates an AFC of best five years or more.
- Changes premium tax law to allow for current pension benefits not just extra benefits.
- Limits pension calculations to base salary.
- Creates a commission to study disability.
-Tightens auditing and reporting.

A full copy is avaliable for download here

Just filed the FRS bill Sb 1130

This concerns the Florida Retirement System (FRS).
We don't have specific details yet as it's still being read.

A full copy is avaliable for download here

We will keep you posted!

Florida PBA responds to Governor's budget proposal

By now most of you know that the Governor has proposed major changes to the Florida Retirement Plan. The PBA is well aware of this and has been meeting with legislative leaders to educate them on the ramifications of these changes.

On Monday, Feb 7th, the Governor released his formal budget proposal. The proposed budget includes an $84 million cut to the Department of Corrections budget and the loss of 1,690 positions across the board.

"The PBA is committed to ensuring that there will be no cuts to the Department that will jeopardize public safety or employee positions," said Florida Correctional Officers Chapter President Jim Baiardi.

"DOC has been taking hits over the last couple of years and the Department will not be able to maintain the safety of the public if the legislature accepts the Governor's proposal," continue Mark Alfieri, Florida Correctional Probation Officer's Chapter President.

The PBA wants its members to stay calm and understand this is only a proposal by the Governor. The Legislature is the government body that crafts the official state budget. As you read this email, we are working with and educating the legislators on the need to hold the Corrections budget harmless by keeping officers on the streets and in the prisons.

Please watch Gov Scott's pension Flip Flop

Governor Rick Scott's pension proposal doesn't match his prior statements during his campaign.

View his video here:
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PudKNxTKzrc

Please stay in touch with your PBA by following us via Broward ePBA.

Governor Rick Scott's proposed pension and health insurance reforms

1) For all FRS employees:

All employees will contribute 5% in pension

New employees mandated to defined contribution plan

Special risk accrual drops from 3% to 2%

DROP closed to new participants on July 1, 2011

COLA eliminated on retirement service earned after July 1, 2011
(example - Employee has 10 years in FRS before July 1, 2011, you will receive COLA for that 10 years)

Health Insurance Subsidy (HIS) credit will no longer accrue after July 1, 2011
(example - Employee has 10 years in service before July 1, 2011, you will receive HIS credit that 10 years)

2) For all State FRS Employees (in addition to the pension changes noted above):
On January 2013, all new employees will enter a defined contribution plan for health insurance
(example - State will pay you $5,000 a year "total" for insurance regardless of dependent status)

3) For all State FRS Retirees:
Retirees will pay an additional 20% into the state group health insurance plan
(note - Retirees already pay 100% of the insurance premium)

You can contact Governor Rick Scott (www.flgov.com/contact-gov-scott/email-the-governor or call (850) 488-7146) for further explanations and details.

Senator Latvala recognizes four officers killed in the line of duty

Governor Rick Scott Announces Cuts to Pensions

Announced today, the Governor's Budget will include these changes to State and Local Pension Plans:

    * Current employees will contribute 5%  

    * DROP will be eliminated
 
    * Special Risk drops from 3 to 2 percent accrual 

    * New employees will not be allowed into the Defined Benefit Plan
  
    * COLA for current retirees remains, but NO COLA for new retirees

Details have not been released yet (scheduled release on Monday, February 7th).

However, you can contact the Governor's Office now to learn more.

Governor Rick Scott: 850-488-7146 or email him at:

www.flgov.com/contact-gov-scott/email-the-governor/

Is Florida about to Privatize Regions 1 and 4?

A new study jointly published by Florida TaxWatch and the Reason Foundation suggests that Florida could resolve many of its prison problems by contracting with private companies to provide a "continuum" of services and saving about $1 billion over ten years.

Calling it a "bold new approach," the study suggested that Florida could convert two of its four regional systems -- one in the Panhandle and the other in South Florida -- to allow private companies to provide all services: incarceration, health care, drug treatment, preparation for a return to society and the monitoring of those released to communities.

This so-called "bold study" was funded in part by the private prison industry. According to the most recent information about funding for the Reason Foundation, two of Florida's private prison vendors: the GEO Group and Corrections Corporation of America, were "Platinum" and "Gold" sponsors of the Reason Foundation, respectively.

The PBA wants you to understand that while this report raises some very serious concerns over the privatization of two DOC regions, it is only a recommendation from a biased study (our opinion).

The Governor's budget proposal is scheduled to be released next Monday (February 7). At that time we will know what the State of Florida is proposing - which is what really matters. If the Governor's budget includes the Reason/TaxWatch proposal or anything similar to it, we will need your help in contacting his office to let him know that this proposal is un-acceptable.

Governor Rick Scott: 850-488-7146

Please stay in touch with your PBA by following us via ePBA.

HB 303 (Pension Reform Legislation) to be pulled from further Consideration.
PBA Leaders Persuade Sponsor to withdraw his legislation, pledge to work together in the future.

By now you have almost certainly heard of and are very concerned about HB 303 by Representative Fred Costello (Republican), a bill that would have changed pension plans in these significant ways:

• Raised normal retirement age to 55
• Eliminated the DROP completely
• Reduced the 3% accrual rate down to 1.6% for everyone including Special Risk
  
• Capped employer contributions at 15% (most employer contributions are now higher)
  
• Removed overtime from pension calculations
  
• Changed the rules on extra benefits with 185 premium tax dollars (local municipal police pension plans)
  
• Changed pension board trustee membership (local municipal police pension plans)
  And so on...

We felt these pension reforms were extreme, so PBA leaders met with Representative Costello this morning to share our concerns.  Representative Costello indicated a willingness to address our issues and work with us to craft legislation that helps alleviate the current budget deficit while protecting your hard earned retirement benefits.
The Florida PBA convinced Representative Costello to withdraw his bill in exchange for our pledge to work with him on future pension legislation.   We are very appreciative to him for giving us an open door and showing a sincere willingness to cooperate on this huge issue. 

The next step will be a meeting between PBA, House Government Operations Committee Chairman Jimmy Patronis, and Representative Costello to offer our ideas and listen to theirs on pension reform.